The talented Newcastle United defender making a name for himself away from the club

Lewis Cass joined Hartlepool United in October – and the defender hasn’t looked back.

Cass, has been a big part of the National League clubs success this season. The defender has made 35 appearances for Hartlepool, who play Torquay on Sunday in the National League play-off final.

The 21-year-old – who signed a new deal at Newcastle in January, and was named on the bench for an FA Cup tie against Rochdale last year – is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury, and could play at Ashton Gate.

Hartlepool defender Jamie Sterry knew Cass before they linked up at Victoria Park through their time together at Newcastle.

And the 25-year-old – who had a series of loans during his time at St James’s Park – feels the move has benefitted Cass and Hartlepool.

“Cassy’s been very, very good,” said Sterry. “I think he signed at the start of the season, then went through a little injury. I knew Cassy from Newcastle. He knows when I’m going to help him out, and I’ll help him out. We work really well together.

“I think, for Cassy, especially with this being his first loan, he’s been absolutely brilliant, to be honest. He’s grown and grown with every game. It’s been a great loan for him.

“Some loans are very tough for a lot of players, because some managers leave a loan player out because he’s not really his player, but for Cassy to come in and be a big part of the team, has been really good for him.”

Hartlepool manager David Challinor hopes to have Cass – who started out at North Shields Juniors, and joined Newcastle aged 12 – available for selection against Torquay.

"Cass trained on Friday, and potentially will be fit,” said Challionor. “It’s one of them where I hope he’s fit – and we have a decision to make. Hopefully, we’ll make the right decisions that will help us get one more win.”

Cass captained Newcastle’s Under-21 team before his move to Hartlepool.

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